Adjustable and/or reusable brace and kicker method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of an adjustable and reusable brace and kicker apparatus are disclosed herein. Various embodiments may include a brace holder and an adjustable kicker. The brace holder may be configured to removably and/or adjustably receive and hold a brace in support of a form for forming a concrete structure. The brace holder may include complementary secure features configured to removably secure the brace holder, and holding features that provide a number of holding positions for selectively holding the brace in one of the holding positions. The kicker may be removably and/or adjustably mated to support the brace with at least three degrees of freedom, including a first angular degree of freedom, a second linear degree of freedom, and a third degree of mating freedom.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application of provisional application 61/148,847, entitled “Adjustable and/or Reusable Brace and Kicker Apparatus,” filed Jan. 30, 2009, and claims priority to said provisional application. The specification of the provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent it is consistent with this specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to the field of construction, in particular, to a brace and kicker apparatus for supporting a form for forming a concrete structure, such as a concrete foundation.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 7 illustrates a typical prior art brace and kicker approach to forming a concrete structure, e.g. a foundation of a residential building. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of one of the brace and kicker arrangements in support of the form that defines the concrete structure to be formed, and provide the cavity to accept the concrete (in a fluidic state). As shown, cavity 708 for receiving the concrete is defined by inner and outer form walls 702 a and 702 b, which may be e.g. 2′×4′ plywood. The inner and outer forms 702 a and 702 b are supported by the braces 704, which are typically wood stakes driven into the ground 710, more specifically the bottom of a trench, and nailed to form walls 702 a and 702 b. Braces 704 are in turn supported by kickers 706, which are also typically wood stakes driven into the ground, and are typically nailed to braces 704.

The form holds the concrete (in fluidic state) in place, to allow the concrete to solidify over time to form the desired concrete structure. Typically, because of the weight of the concrete, multiple ones of such brace and kicker arrangements are required to provide the necessary support strength to support the form to keep the form in shape until the concrete solidifies. In general, for an average residential foundation, one such brace and kicker arrangement is required every 2 feet. To provide the necessary support strength, the brace and kicker are typically driven into the ground and nailed to each other using heavy gauge nails. Because of the alignment and precision required, often times at least 2 persons are required to put together each of the multiple arrangements.

After the concrete is poured and settled, the brace and kicker arrangements are broken apart. Some of the wood, like braces 704 will be partially stuck in the solidified concrete, and the protruding portions will have to be broken to remove. Virtually all the removed wood is disposed as waste. Thus, the prior art brace and kicker approach are inefficient and wasteful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the brace and kicker apparatus of the present disclosure, showing selected elements of the apparatus,

FIGS. 2 a-2 b respectively illustrate a side view and a top view of the brace holder, showing selected elements of the brace holder;

FIGS. 3 a-3 b respectively illustrate a side view and a top view of the base plate of the kicker showing selected elements of the base plate of the kicker;

FIGS. 4 a-4 b respectively illustrate a side view of the first and second portions of the adjustable arm, showing selected elements of the adjustable arm,

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the turnbuckle, showing selected elements of the turnbuckle, and

FIGS. 6 a-6 b respectively illustrate a side view and a top view of the end plate, showing selected elements of the plate, with all of the foregoing arranged in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a typical prior art brace and kicker arrangement.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another brace holder, showing selected elements, and

FIG. 9 illustrates side view of another adjustable arm, showing selected elements, all arranged in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the brace and kicker apparatus of the present disclosure include means for receiving and holding a brace in support of a form for forming a concrete structure, and means for adjustably mating and supporting the brace with at least three degrees of freedom. In various embodiments, the holding means include complementary secure features to secure the holding means, e.g. to the ground, and holding features that provide a plurality of holding positions for selectively holding the brace in one of a number of holding positions. In various embodiments, the at least three degrees of freedom of the adjustably mating and supporting means include a first angular degree of freedom, a second linear degree of freedom, and a third degree of mating freedom. Further, in various embodiments, the second linear degree of freedom remains available even after choices have been made for the first and third degree of freedom.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Various embodiments will be described with references to the side views and/or top views of various components. The various views are to facilitate understanding, and are not limiting on the invention. The terms “substantially,” “considerably,” “significantly,” “largely,” may be used, and these terms are intended to be synonyms for each other. The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. For the purpose of this application, wood is not an reusable material for a component or a part, if the component or part is expected to touch concrete in liquid form, as the component or part will be stuck and not removable for reuse after the concrete solidifies.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Also, embodiments may have fewer operations than described. A description of multiple discrete operations should not be construed to imply that all operations are necessary. Also, embodiments may have fewer operations than described. A description of multiple discrete operations should not be construed to imply that all operations are necessary.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A/B” means A or B. For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B)”. For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”. For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means “(B) or (AB)” that is, A is an optional element.

Referring now to FIG. 1, wherein a perspective view of the brace and kicker apparatus of the present disclosure, showing selected elements of the apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments, is shown. As shown, brace and kicker apparatus 100 may generally comprise of two components, brace holder 120 and adjustable kicker 110. Brace holder 120 may include secure features configured to enable it to be removably secured, e.g. to the ground, and holding features configured to removably and/or adjustably receive and hold a brace, e.g. a brace in support of a form for forming a concrete structure, such as a foundation of a residential structure. The holding features may be configured to enable the brace to be removably and/or adjustably received and held in one of a plurality of holding positions. Further, the brace may or may not be supported by the ground, e.g. held in free space over a trench. Adjustable kicker 110 may also include secure features configured to enable it to be removably secured, e.g. to the ground, adjustment features may be configured to enable the kicker to be adjusted angularly and/or linearly to facilitate adjustable mating with the brace, and mating features may be configured to enable adjustable mating with the brace in one of a plurality of mating positions. In various embodiments, adjustable kicker 110 may provide coarse and fine adjustments. Further adjustable kicker 110 may be configured to remain adjustable even after adjustable kicker 110 has been secured, e.g. to the ground, and to the brace.

As illustrated, for the embodiments, brace holder 120 may include base plate 122, and substantially u-shaped end 126 coupled to each other as shown. For the illustrated embodiments, base holder 120 may also include tube 124 coupled to substantially u-shaped end 126 as shown. Base plate 122 may include secure features configured to enable brace holder 120 to be removably secured e.g. to the ground. Tube 124 may include secure features complementary to those of plate 122 to further removably securing brace holder 120, e.g. to the ground. Substantially u-shaped end 126 may be configured to receive and hold the brace, including holding features configured to enable the brace to be removably received and held in any one of a number of holding positions.

Adjustable kicker 110 may include base plate 112, adjustable arm 113 and end piece 118 coupled to each other as shown. Base plate 112 may include secure features configured to removably secure adjustable kicker 110, e.g. to the ground. For the embodiments, adjustable arm 113 may be configured to be pivotally coupled to base plate 112, to allow adjustable arm 113 to move angularly or rotate relative to base plate 112. Further, adjustable arm 113 may be configured to be linearly adjustably coupled to end piece 118, as well as itself is linearly adjustable in length. For the embodiments, adjustable arm 113 may comprise first and second portions of adjustable arm 114 a and 114 b, and turnbuckle 116, linearly and adjustably coupled to each other. End piece 118 may be linearly adjustably coupled to the turnbuckle 116. End piece 118 may also include mating features configured to provide a number of mating positions for mating with the brace in a selected one of the mating positions. Adjustable arm 113 may be linearly adjustable even after base plate 112 has been secured, e.g. to the ground, and end piece 118 has been mated with the brace. Adjustable arm 114 a and 114 b may be configured to provide coarse adjustment, while turnbuckle 116 may be configured to provide finer adjustment.

In various embodiments, the various parts may be constituted with metallic material to provide strength to support the form, as well as enabling the brace and kicker arrangement to be reusable, reducing the amount of wood product waste. In alternate embodiments, other materials with similar tensile strength and reusable characteristics may be used instead, in part or in whole.

The dimensions of the various elements are application dependable, that is, dependent on the size of the brace and form the apparatus is designed to support. In various embodiments, the brace holder occupies an area of approximately 12″ by 8″, whereas the adjustable kicker is approximately 4 ft in length.

As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various features of the brace and kicker apparatus of the present disclosure collectively enable a brace and kicker arrangement to be formed efficiently, potentially by a single person, resulting in substantial saving in labor. Equally significant, after the desired concrete structure has been formed, the brace and kicker arrangement can be disassembled relatively easily by one person, as unlike the prior art approach where some of the wood stakes will be partially trapped in the solidified concrete requiring the wood stakes to be broken to remove the protruding portions, the brace and kicker apparatus of various embodiments of the present disclosure may be quickly disassembled without any components trapped in the solidified concrete. Accordingly, embodiments of the apparatus may be reused to support another brace to support another form for forming another concrete structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a-2 b, wherein a side view and a top view of the brace base holder 120, showing selected elements of the brace holder 120, in accordance with various embodiments, are illustrated. As described earlier, brace holder 120 may comprise base plate 122 and U-shaped holder 126 coupled to each other. For the embodiments, brace holder 120 may also include tube 124 coupled to U-shaped holder 126. For the embodiments, the elements may be constituted with metallic material, e.g. steel, and the elements may be welded to each other.

As illustrated, base plate 122 may include a plurality of openings 202 configured to enable the base plate to be secured to e.g. the ground, using e.g. soil nails, earth anchors or concrete stakes. A soil nail is a standard concrete stake with a nut or a piece of steel welded to the top to form a large nail-like structure that can be driven into the soil to serve a similar function as a standard nail driven into a piece of wood. Tube 124 may have an hollow interior to provide complementary support to securing the brace holder to e.g. the ground, using e.g. a soil nail, an earth anchor or a concrete stake. In various embodiments, as illustrated, tube 124 and base plate 122 may jointly define an angle (in the side view plane) in the range of 95 degrees to 105 degrees. (This angle of the tube may provide strength to enable the brace to be cantilevered over a trench.) In various embodiments, tube 124 and base plate 122 may define an angle (in the side view plane) of about 100 degrees. In alternate embodiments, base plate 122 may include a plurality of tubes 124, e.g. two symmetrically disposed at the inside or outside surfaces of the side arms of base plate 122.

For the embodiments, each arm of the u-shaped holder may include a plurality of rows of plurality openings 204 configured to enable a brace to be received and held in one of a number of holding positions, using e.g. nails, through a selected subset of the openings 204. As described earlier, the brace may or may not be supported by the ground, e.g. the brace may be held in free space hanging over a trench.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another brace holder, showing selected elements the another brace holder, in accordance with various alternate embodiments. Similar to brace holder 120, brace holder 120′ may include base plate 122′, tube 124′, and substantially u-shaped end 126′ coupled to each other as before. However, for the alternate embodiments, in lieu of openings 202, base plate 122′ may include complementarily angled tubes 802 to facilitate removably securing brace holder 120′ to the ground, using e.g. soil nails, earth anchors or concrete stakes.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a-3 b, wherein a side view and a top view of the kicker base plate 112, showing selected elements the kicker base plate 112, in accordance with various embodiments, are illustrated. As shown, base plate 112 may include a number of openings at one end to enable the kicker to be secured, e.g. to the ground, using e.g. soil nails, earth anchors or concrete stakes. At the other end, base plate 112 may include a pair of pedestals 304 configured to enable the adjustable kicker arm 113 to be pivotally coupled to base plate 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a-4 b, wherein two side views, one each, of the two portions of the extensible arm of kicker 113, showing selected elements of the extensible arm of kicker 113, in accordance with various embodiments, are illustrated. As illustrated, for the embodiments, each portion 114 a or 114 b may include a number of substantially evenly spaced openings 404 and 412 configured to enable the two portions 114 a and 114 b to be linearly and adjustably coupled to each with different amounts of overlap of the 402 and 405 ends, providing different amounts of total length, to provide coarse adjustment.

At the 406 end, portion 114 b may further include rod 408 welded to portion 114 b. Rod 408 may be configured with a threaded end to enable portion 114 b to be linearly adjustably coupled to turnbuckle 116.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of another extensible arm, showing selected elements the another extensible arm, in accordance with various alternate embodiments. Similar to the earlier described extensible arm, for the alternate embodiments, the another extensible arm may also comprise of multiple segments. However, the segments of formed with tubes 114 a′ and 114 b′ telescopically nested that may be extended or retracted into various positions to provide various desired lengths.

Referring now to FIG. 5, wherein a side view of the turnbuckle, showing selected elements of the turnbuckle, in accordance with various embodiments, is illustrated. Turnbuckle 116 may include two arms 502 defining cavity 504, and two threaded ends 506, left and right hand threaded. As described earlier, one threaded end 506 may be employed to facilitate linearly adjustable coupling with threaded rod 408 of portion 114 b of linearly adjustable arm of 113. As will be described further below, the other threaded end 506 may be employed to facilitate linearly adjustable coupling with end piece 118. Together, these features of turnbuckle 116 may provide fine adjustment for arm 113.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 a-6 b, wherein a side view and a top view of the end piece 118 of kicker 110, showing various elements of the end piece, in accordance with various embodiments, are illustrated. As shown, end piece 118 may include angled plate 606 coupled with rod 602. In various embodiments, the elements are welded together. As illustrated rod 602 may be configured with a threaded end 604 to facilitate linearly adjustable coupling with turnbuckle 116. Further, angle plate 606 may include a number of openings to provide a number of mating positions for mating with the brace, using e.g. nails, pins, or bolts, through a selected subset of the openings 608. For the nail embodiments, end piece 118 may also be referred to as a nailing plate.

Thus, embodiments of an adjustable and reusable brace and kicker apparatus have been described. Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments of the disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a brace holder configured to receive and hold a brace in support of a form for forming a concrete structure, wherein the brace holder includes a base plate having features configured to enable the brace holder to be removably secured, and a substantially U-shaped end coupled to the base plate, and configured to removably and/or adjustably receive and hold the brace, wherein the U-shaped end includes features configured to provide a plurality of holding positions for holding the brace in a selected one of the plurality of holding positions; and an adjustable kicker configured to adjustably mate and support the brace, wherein the adjustable kicker includes a base plate having features configured to enable the adjustable kicker to be removably secured, a linearly adjustable arm having two ends and an end piece, wherein the linearly adjustable arm is angularly and flexibly coupled to the base plate of the adjustable kicker at one end, and the end piece is linearly and adjustably coupled to the linearly adjustable arm at the other end, wherein the end piece comprises features configured to provide a plurality of mating positions to removably and adjustably mate with the brace in a selected one of the mating positions.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped end of the brace holder comprises two arms, and each arm comprises a plurality of rows of plurality of openings configured to enable the U-shaped end to be removably mated with a wooden brace.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the brace holder further comprises a tube coupled to the U-shaped end, and configured to complement and assist the secure features of the base plate in removably securing the brace holder.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tube and the base plate of the brace holder define an angle greater than 90 degrees.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tube and the base plate of the brace holder define an angle of approximately 95 degrees to 105 degrees.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tube of the brace holder is configured to receive a soil nail, an earth anchor or a concrete stake.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate of the brace holder includes a plurality of openings or a plurality of complementarily angled tubes, each configured to receive a soil nail, an earth anchor, or a concrete stake.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linearly adjustable arm of the adjustable kicker is configured to be pivotally coupled to the base plate of the adjustable kicker.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linearly adjustable arm of the adjust kicker comprises a first and a second arm, configured to linearly and adjustably coupled to each other, and a turnbuckle configured to be linearly and adjustably coupled to the second arm and the end piece.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second linearly adjustable arms of the adjustable kicker comprises a plurality of extensible or retractable telescopically nested tubes or a plurality of openings configured to enable the first and second linearly adjustable arms to be coupled together with screws and different amounts of overlap, for defining different amounts of total length.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the end piece comprises an elongated member with a threaded end configured to adjustably mate with the turnbuckle.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end piece comprises an angled plate having a plurality of openings configured to enable the end piece to be mated with the brace with nails through a subset of the openings.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein either the brace holder or the adjustable kicker is constituted with material or materials that enable the brace holder and the adjustable kicker to be reusable to support different forms for forming different concrete structures.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the concrete structure is a foundation of a residential structure.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a base plate having features configured to enable the brace holder to be removably secured; a substantially U-shaped end coupled to the base plate, and configured to removably and/or adjustably receive and hold a brace in support of a form for forming a concrete structure, wherein the U-shaped end includes features to provide a plurality of holding positions for holding the brace in a selected one of the plurality of holding positions; and a tube coupled to the U-shaped end, and configured to complement and assist the secure features of the base plate to secure the brace holder.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the U-shaped end comprises two arms, and each arm comprises a plurality of rows of plurality of openings configured to enable the U-shaped end to be mated with a wooden brace with nails through a subset of the openings.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tube and the base plate define an angle of approximately 95 degrees to 105 degrees.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tube is configured to receive a soil nail, an earth anchor or a concrete stake, and the base plate includes a plurality of openings, each configured to receive a concrete stake.
 19. An apparatus comprising: a base plate having features to enable the adjustable kicker to be removably secured; and a linearly adjustable arm having two ends and angularly flexibly coupled to the base plate of the adjustable kicker at one end, and an end piece linearly adjustably coupled to the linearly adjustable arm at the other end, with features configured to provide a plurality of mating positions to removably and/or adjustably mate with a brace in a selected one of the plurality of mating positions, wherein the brace is configured to support a form to form a concrete structure.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the adjustable arm is pivotally coupled to the base plate.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19, the adjustable arm comprises a first and a second arm, linearly adjustably coupled to each other, and a turnbuckle linearly adjustably coupled to the second arm and the end piece; wherein each of the first and second linearly adjustable arms comprises a plurality of extensible or retractable telescopically nested tubes, or a plurality of openings configured to enable the first and second linearly adjustable arms to be coupled together with screws and different amounts of overlap, for defining different amounts of total length; and wherein the end piece comprises an elongated member with a threaded end to adjustably mate with the turnbuckle.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the end piece comprises an angled plate having a plurality of openings configured to enable the end piece to be mated with the brace with nails through a subset of the openings.
 23. An apparatus comprising: means for removably and/or adjustably receiving and holding a brace in support of a form for forming a concrete structure, wherein the holding means include complementary secure features configured to removably secure the holding means, and holding features that provide a plurality of holding positions for selectively holding the brace in one of the holding positions; and means for adjustably mating and supporting the brace with at least three degrees of freedom, including a first angular degree of freedom, a second linear degree of freedom, and a third degree of mating freedom. 